Meet the board

Anastasia Fynn is the director of the University of Utah’s International Student & Scholar Services office, where she oversees compliance, student support, and engagement for international students and scholars. She has worked in international education for over 11 years. Her role includes providing strategic vision and leadership for ISSS, including immigration compliance, training and coaching, operations and workflow management, campus partnerships, and program support.

An immigrant from Ghana, Anastasia brings personal experience as a foreign learner in the U.S. and a deep understanding of international student life and immigration policies. She uses this perspective to support student resettlement and transitions.

She is passionate about international student advocacy and believes in the connection between academic success and immigration compliance. She holds a BA in English and Political Science from the University of Ghana and an MBA in International Business from Strayer University.

Anastasia believes in an interdependent world where students, faculty, and staff have opportunities to become personally and intellectually familiar with the people, ideas, and customs of other nations. She enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and is an avid Jeopardy! fan.

Ioana is a passionate advocate for cultural exchange and the transformative power of education. Originally from Romania, her work in higher education has taken her across multiple states in the U.S., eventually leading her to Utah.

With a strong foundation in cross-cultural communication, Ioana began her career in international relations after completing a master’s degree in Sociology in Romania. Her academic journey sparked her curiosity about different cultures and education’s role in fostering global understanding. Drawn to Utah’s unique landscapes and love of skiing, she found a home in the American West. Based in Ogden, she serves as Director of International Student Recruitment at Weber State University. In this role, she facilitates cross-cultural exchange programs, collaborates with international partner institutions, and helps students worldwide access enriching educational experiences in Utah.

Her commitment to global citizenship and cultural exchange extends beyond the office. She engages with local communities and encourages dialogue among students from different backgrounds, helping create an inclusive and welcoming environment for international students.

In her free time, Ioana enjoys exploring Utah’s scenic landscapes, hiking and skiing in the mountains with her husband and their fur babies, reading, and baking.

Sara Demko (she/her) is a founding member of Study Utah and has worked in international education for over twenty-five years. She is the senior international officer at Westminster University, where she works closely with faculty, staff, and students to promote and develop global learning in the curriculum and co-curriculum.

Originally from northern Wisconsin, Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in Cultural Geography from Prescott College. She began her career at SIT Study Abroad before moving to Utah, where she has held international higher education positions at Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, and Westminster University.

Elizabeth (Liz) Hammond is the Associate Director of International Student Experience and Engagement. Born and raised in Takoradi, Ghana, Liz first came to the United States as a J-1 high school exchange student. Since then, she has built a career dedicated to helping international students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired.

She holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Maryville University in St. Louis and an M.A. in Strategic Communication from American University in Washington, D.C.

Liz is passionate about making every student’s college journey not just successful, but unforgettable. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying reality TV or spending time with her children.